Founded in the Queensland outback in 1920, Qantas has grown to be Australia’s largest regional, domestic, and international airline. Qantas has a range of subsidiary businesses that support the overall operations of the Group. The Qantas Group’s main business is the transportation of customers and freight using two complementary airline brands — Qantas and Jetstar — operating regional, domestic, and international services.
Job Description- Lead the strategic direction, performance and transformation of Flight Operations
- Drive major programs, workforce planning and business improvement initiatives
- 12 month fixed term, full time leadership opportunity with Qantas Freight (Express Freighters Australia) based in Mascot, Sydney
Qantas Freight is about far more than moving cargo. It’s about connecting people with the goods they need, in the most tailored, smooth and efficient way possible.
We are seeking an experienced and commercially minded Senior Manager Programs & Performance to join Qantas Freight (Express Freighters Australia) Flight Operations team.
Reporting to the Chief Pilot, Senior Manager Programs & Performance is responsible for leading the Flight Operations strategy, driving business performance and delivering key transformation programs across the operation. As the key connection point between Flight Operations and broader business stakeholders, you will drive the identification, governance, and execution of strategic priorities that support operational excellence and long-term business success.
You will lead the development of strategic roadmaps, establish performance metrics and reporting frameworks, oversee major projects and transformation initiatives, and ensure Flight Crew resourcing supports operational requirements from long-term planning through to day-of-operations execution.
This is an exciting opportunity for a strategic leader who thrives in a dynamic operational environment and can balance long-term planning with operational delivery.
What you'll bring to the role:
- 10+ years' experience in a senior strategy, program management, project management, or operational leadership role within a complex organisation.
- Demonstrated success developing and implementing strategic plans, transformation programs and large-scale business initiatives.
- Strong experience in program and project management, including governance, risk management, budgeting and benefits realisation.
- Exceptional stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, with the ability to work effectively across senior leadership teams.
- Experience working in complex operational environments with an understanding of workforce planning and resource management challenges.
- Strong analytical, commercial and problem-solving capability, with a focus on data-driven decision making.
- Tertiary qualifications in Business, Strategy, Program Management, Project Management or a related discipline, or equivalent experience.
- Experience with change management principles, business case development, and leading continuous improvement initiatives.
Applications close: Friday 28th August 2026 (subject to early review and closure)
Why Qantas?
If you’re successful in your application, you’ll join a team where creativity and passion are encouraged. Our people come together to allow us to dream big and deliver successfully.
There are many different opportunities across our team, which means you’ll be able to grow both personally and professionally at Qantas. Your development is a priority for us – so that you can maintain the high standards our customers have come to expect and can continue to develop over time. You’ll be supported from day 1 with on-the-job training and coaching as well as our formal training opportunities. While you may start in this role, we’ve got a great track record of supporting our people to take their career in so many different directions, the destinations are endless.
The Qantas employee benefits program offers amazing benefits that extend well beyond travel.
- We have flexible leave options: Make use of leave and flexible working opportunities including 18 weeks paid parental leave and additional purchased leave options.
- We love to travel: Enjoy discounted air travel within Australia and across the globe, both for you and your family and friends, as well as exclusive deals on accommodation and holidays.
- We’ll give you access to thousands of rewards: Through our partnerships we can offer you discounts across shopping, food and wine, insurance, health and wellbeing, leisure and entertainment. You can also take advantage of our salary packaging for everything from motor vehicles to electronic devices.
- We’ll support your wellbeing: Whether its learning to better support your own and others’ mental health, our interactive wellbeing app or your very own tailored nutrition plan.
Qantas are equal opportunity employers, so by coming to work for us, you’ll be part of an organisation that encourages diversity, supports charities and environmental initiatives. We encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and people of all backgrounds to apply.
Be a part of something special and play your part in the Qantas story – get in touch today.
Applications will only be considered for candidates who have the right to work in Australia/New Zealand without restrictions or sponsorship.
Skills Required
- 10+ years in senior strategy, program, project management or operational leadership
- Proven success developing and implementing strategic plans and large-scale transformation programs
- Strong program and project management skills including governance, risk management, budgeting and benefits realisation
- Exceptional stakeholder engagement and influencing skills at senior leadership levels
- Experience in complex operational environments with workforce planning and resource management
- Strong analytical, commercial and data-driven decision-making capability
- Tertiary qualifications in Business, Strategy, Program/Project Management or equivalent experience
- Experience with change management, business case development and continuous improvement
- Right to work in Australia/New Zealand without restrictions or sponsorship
Qantas Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Qantas and has not been reviewed or approved by Qantas.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Travel benefits are considered a standout, including heavily discounted standby flights and broad partner discounts across shopping, insurance, and leisure. Access to a discounted national gym network and a confidential assistance program reinforces lifestyle and wellbeing support.
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Parental & Family Support — Parental leave provisions include extended paid leave for primary and secondary carers, with superannuation continuing during paid or unpaid leave. Family-oriented programs and structured support for transitions strengthen the overall family benefits.
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Career-Linked Recognition & Rewards — Recognition and rewards include one-off performance bonuses, an ongoing employee share plan tied to company results, and internal programs that convert recognition into travel credits and perks. These mechanisms provide tangible rewards connected to contribution and business outcomes.
Qantas Insights
What We Do
We would like to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the local lands and waterways on which we live, work and fly. We pay our respects to Elders past and present. Spirit is everything to us, and joining the Qantas team means bringing your spirit to ours. We have over 26,000 exceptional employees, and every year we fly millions of customers around Australia and the world – together. If you hop on board with the team, you'll experience a workplace where creativity, diversity and innovation are encouraged. We aim to give every member of the Qantas Group the support to follow their dreams, face new challenges, and let their future take flight. Ultimately, people are our priority – those who work for us and those who travel with us. For the latest information on the cyber incident: https://bit.ly/3I7jNfM Member of the oneworld Alliance. Please read the Qantas LinkedIn House Rules at http://bit.ly/QFhouserules







